This dress code policy is not only outdated but unethical. We are now more educated about mental health and the importance of lifting up our children so they have the confidence to thrive in school and out of school. Free expression is an individual right to self and an important part of personal development.
See the above "student waivers" at the top of this image and found in the Milpitas student handbook. Students are required to submit a form and schedule a meeting with the assistant principal DeLora-Ellefson, Emily, to request dress code privileges. What does this mean? In order to wear "sweatpants, frayed jeans, etc." the assistant principal must approve the request for each student.
A student and parent shared their recent experience at a dress code waiver email request: "I asked her if my daughter can have dress code privileges, so she could wear her own sweatpants in the mornings because she has P.E. during the first period. It is 37 degrees outside and they make her wear P.E. shorts because she has no P.E. sweatpants, and the assistant principal said no." This parent also stated; "he purchased his daughter P.E. sweatpants from the school in August, and they have not received them." He also shared, when his daughter asked for dress code privileges, the assistant principal responded and said, "well then get your grades up." Her father raises concerns about his daughter being a target of student discrimination, excessive detentions, and added stress. "I am a single dad and I do the best I can."
It is apparent that the dress code policy is being used as a form of punishment, and blatantly shows misconduct on the school campus as they discriminate against children's rights to free expression based on their academic performance.
Check out this statement published by the California School Board of Education.
Gavin Newsom signed into law the CROWN Act
"School administrators and other staff should also be knowledgeable about the dress code and appropriate enforcement. Through policy, governing boards may set expectations that enforcement of the dress code not be addressed during instructional time or in front of other students, not result in a student being sent home or given alternate clothing to wear, and does not send a message that what students wear is more important than what they learn." https://publications.csba.org/california-school-news/september-2019/dress-and-grooming-from-the-crown-act-to-student-expression/#:~:text=The%20law%20is%20clear%20that,This%20July%2C%20Gov.
Lakritz, T. (2019, February 14). 18 times students and parents said school dress codes went too far. Insider. www.insider.com/school-dress-code-rules-controversy-2018-8
Jones, S. (2018, August 31). Do school dress codes discriminate against girls? Education Week.
www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2018/09/05/do-school-dress-codes-discriminate-against-girls.html
More information on ethics and school practices:
https://www.buzzfeed.com/lizmrichardson/most-unethical-school-practices
PLEASE CONTINUE TO SIGN AND SHARE THIS PETITION.
- Heart Blaster